On Thursday evening, presidential hopefuls Karel Schwarzenberg and Miloš
Zeman faced off in the first of two debates on Czech TV. Viewers over the
course of the broadcast had plenty of opportunities to weigh both their
strengths and weaknesses; the question now is whether the debates will sway
still undecided voters ahead of the second round.

Miloš Zeman, Karel Schwarzenberg, photo: CTK
A final week remains before Czechs vote in the runoff of the first direct
presidential election, choosing between two candidates, former prime
minister Miloš Zeman and current Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. The
two faced each other on Czech TV on Thursday, answering questions from
viewers via social media. Topics included everything from a controversial
power-sharing deal agreed by Mr Zeman back in 1998, to Mr Schwarzenberg’s
role in the largely unpopular current government. The candidates traded a
few barbs, some jovial, some pointed, but overall the discussion was highly
civil throughout. Political analyst Zdeněk Zbořil:

“The approach from both men was very respectful and they didn’t lower
themselves to a tabloid level. In their debates, they have shown previous
political experience and erudition and in Mr Zeman’s case a complex
understanding of certain issues, namely economics. Mr Schwarzenberg lags
behind on economic questions but what he lacks in that field, he makes up
for with panache. The atmosphere was not unfriendly with the exception of a
few moments in the debate.”

Zdeněk Zbořil, photo: Alžběta Švarcová
One point when the two candidates did clash was when they discussed how
often the head-of-state, a largely ceremonial figure, should become
involved in daily politics and whether they as president would take the
opportunity to speak to lawmakers in the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies
in Parliament. Mr Schwarzenberg maintained the president should do so only
in matters of the highest importance and not “show off”. His choice of
words got a rise from his opponent Miloš Zeman.

“Do you really think that the president is just a ficus plant or
oleander in the corner of the room that you just have to water from time to
time?! Or that in line with the Constitution when the president
fundamentally disagrees with something... he shouldn’t speak out?... It
is both the right and duty of the president to express his opinion!”

While Mr Zeman was more animated, Mr Schwarzenberg was unruffled in his
response:

“I think the president can speak in the lower house but it should be a
rare thing, an opportunity taken only when something major is at stake and
the citizens expect a response. It should not be done every time the future
of one law or another is at stake. If we went that route, things would not
end well.”

Photo: CTK
Other points in the discussion included the historic expulsion of ethnic
Germans from Czechoslovakia after World War II, a potentially sensitive
issue for Mr Schwarzenberg, a strong supporter of human rights who spent
much of his life in neighbouring Austria. On Thursday he did not shy away
from the view that if the expulsion had happened today it would be seen as
a gross violation of human rights.

The candidates are set to appear in one more Czech TV debate as well as on
other broadcasters including Czech Radio next week. Voters will go to the
polls on January 25 and 26.